Monster Synthesis Master

Chapter 35: The Artist’s ‘Repayment’

If the Top Ten Most Touching Characters of Wastelands Planet in Version 1.0 were to be elected, John the artist and his wife—Martha’s vote count would definitely win by a landslide to become the center of attention.

“I only need to speak, and you only need to listen. Don’t ask me where I heard it from either—I have reasons why I cannot answer you with regard to that.

“The Machinery Holy Cult has been devoted to the development of harvesting energy from dreams all this time. But because of the Freedom Federation and the Wastelands Gang’s ‘pincer attack,’ the number of human batteries that they’ve obtained during the last few years has dropped significantly.

“Under such circumstances, they have redirected their focus and begun to research on reviving brain-dead humans in hopes that they can reuse human batteries. It’s said that their research has seen a bit of success… I believe that with your information channels, verifying the authenticity of this information isn’t something difficult for you.”

The artist’s dark countenance cleared up slightly. As he looked at Lin Ke, his eyes carried some puzzlement but also an additional hint of light now.

Had it been someone else that had told him this, he would never believe them. However, the ‘teenager’ in front of him simply carried too many mysteries and secrets on him. On top of that, he even knew of the secret that he’d never once mentioned to anyone—Martha was actually still alive!

The reason why the artist had tracked Lin Ke the whole way was that he wanted his puzzlement resolved. Yet, not only had his puzzlement not been resolved upon showing himself, but they had increased instead…

“Surely the Wastelands Planet’s top assassin can tell whether I’m telling the truth or not? If worse comes to worst, even if I’ve lied to you, it’s not hard for you to find me with your skills, right?”

The artist gazed at Lin Ke with a complex look in his eyes. John’s rationality told him that he had already utilized every solution there was, as well as searched through all the connections he had. But even so, all he could do was put Martha in cryostasis. It was impossible for any sort of technology that could revive a dead person to be unknown to him.

However, his emotions told him that Lin Ke indeed knew a lot of secrets. Moreover, he could tell that Lin Ke truly wasn’t lying.

“You should be able to tell that I’m currently very troubled. If you can provide some more evidence, I’ll belie—”

Before the artist even finished, Lin Ke had already spoken. “Aland Snow Mountains…”

“That’s enough! I believe you!” The artist hastily cut Lin Ke off. Even his hand was shaking at this moment.

Lin Ke had revealed the place where he’d hidden his wife without any hesitation. He had never told anyone about the place before. Everything had been personally seen to and handled by him.

John’s brain had undergone special training to close it off—whether by hypnosis, psychokinesis, or telepathy, none of these methods could retrieve any information from his brain. Therefore, he could eliminate the possibility of Lin Ke using mind-reading techniques or other supernatural abilities to steal information from his memories.

With that, the answer was extremely clear—this Lin Ke guy indeed had a thing or two.

In under a minute, the situation had gone through an overwhelming change.

Lin Ke proudly straightened his back, while the artist became dazed and despondent.

“However, you must never go to Machinery City. Or at least, don’t go there within this half a year!”

Lin Ke’s course of conversation abruptly changed at this point.

At once, the artist’s expression—which hope had initially been arising on—froze.

Lin Ke had given him hope, yet he wasn’t allowing him to go. This was even more agonizing than not having any hope at all!

“Why can’t I go?”

“Once you go, you’ll die!”

The artist’s expression mellowed slightly.

Machinery City was a lion’s den. Even someone like him would find himself out of his depth if he went there alone. Hence, he could understand why Lin Ke would say that. But even if a sliver of hope was all he had, he, nevertheless, had to revive the person he loved the most.

“You’ve passed the trial,” said the artist as he extricated himself from his grief and returned to his previous demeanor and calmness.

So it really was a trial. Lin Ke had vaguely found it somewhat strange when they were crossing swords just now.

With John’s capabilities, killing him would be a piece of cake for him if he’d really wanted to. Yet, he had given Lin Ke opportunities time and time again and constantly probed for Lin Ke’s trump cards. On top of that, John had controlled his attacks’ intensity and refrained from attacks that would take Lin Ke’s life in one go.

After that, Lin Ke had come to a ridiculous conclusion—John had something to request of him. L

Lin Ke’s first reaction was to reject the request. Just how serious of a matter must something that could make a Level 40+ Legend bring up a request be? Was it something that he could undertake at his current level?

Nevertheless, Lin Ke’s curiosity still prompted him to open his mouth. “So, what happens now that I’ve passed the trial?”

The artist sized up Lin Ke. Then, his facial expression gradually turned from a stern one into a smiling one. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, John then leaned against a railing at the side and asked, “Interested in doing something big with me?”

Hurhur, yeah right, as if I’m gonna believe you.

“Strength, weak.

“Agility, crawls like a tortoise.

“Energy, negligible.

“Endurance, barely.

“Charm, no f*cking words.

“Are you sure I’ll be of any help at such a standard?”

Amusement continued to linger at the artist’s lip corners, together with a hint of approving appreciation. Had it been anyone else, they definitely would’ve been overjoyed upon his invitation.

But not only was the kid in front of him not excited at all, but he had even taken the time to get back at him.

Using his own words to trip him up—this feeling sure felt annoying.

“No assassin or bounty hunter has ever rejected my invitation—you’re the first.” The artist reached into his blazer’s inner pocket, took out a gold coin, and forcefully flipped it with his thumb.

The gold coin spun in the air, melodiously tinkling as it did.

Some distance away, Treasure Hunter Rat’s black, rice grain-sized eyes immediately widened by several times. Its mouth was slightly ajar, its entire mouse-self in a state of awed astonishment. Its line of sight had been firmly captivated by the gold coin.

Lin Ke subconsciously reached out and caught the gold coin. As he brushed his thumb against its surface, he then clearly saw the pattern on the gold coin under the moonlight. Upon which, his countenance immediately turned livid and indescribably strange.

At the same time, a series of notifications from the system also popped up.

[You’ve obtained the Eye of Providence Gold Coin and successfully activated Assassin status]

[Unlocked Forces: The Platinum Hotel]

[You’ve obtained the Artist’s affection. Affection Meter +10]

[John’s Current Affection Meter: 10/100 (Bland)]

“Are you giving me this because you want me dead?” Lin Ke grumbled as he stared at the Eye of Providence Gold Coin in his hand. But when he looked up, the artist was already nowhere to be seen.

The Jack Gang’s entire base was empty. Only moonlight and a light breeze remained.

“Little Treasure, did you see when he left?” Lin Ke asked after he regained his senses.

Treasure Hunter Rat scampered over to him as it shook its head and indicated that it didn’t know. Its two little eyes then became fixed on the Eye of Providence Gold Coin in Lin Ke’s hand.

Lin Ke stared at the ‘hot potato’ in his hand, awfully troubled. He really wanted to give himself a tight slap now. Why did I claim to be a weakling for no good reason?!

Just like this: (see GIF)

Great, I’ve now been forcibly thrown into the ‘Death-Mode Enhancement Class’ by John!

“He’s a wily old fox indeed. I was scheming and plotting the whole time, but I’ve still fallen for his tricks in the end!”

The gold coin in Lin Ke’s hand was emblazoned with a thorny rose motif on one side and a golden pyramid design on the other.

Unlike the pyramids found in deserts, the tip of the pyramid depicted on the gold coin was flat. There was also a gigantic glowing eye at the top of the pyramid, which symbolized omniscience and omnipotence. It was also the origin of the Eye of Providence Gold Coin’s name.

As for the coin itself, rather than calling it money, one might as well call it a status indicator or a key instead.

Just like what the system had stated, those that obtained the Eye of Providence Gold Coin would automatically become a Platinum Hotel member—where the members’ identities were assassins.

Platinum Hotel was the assassins and bounty hunters’ base. It was an organization that operated across geographies—they had branches located in every corner of the Wastelands Planet.

There, one could undertake any bounty quest or wanted mission, as well as enjoy service of the highest class—including but not limited to all sorts of customized equipment and information.

Platinum Hotel was a completely neutral organization that, by itself, didn’t hold any bias toward any party. As long as one operated within Platinum Hotel’s rules, they would receive the organization’s goodwill.

That sounded pretty great, right?

On the surface, the artist had appeared to have given Lin Ke a deposit and benefits. But in truth, once one left Platinum Hotel’s grounds, they would no longer be under its protection.

Lin Ke naturally understood what the saying ‘An innocent man’s only crime is to possess the precious stone’ meant.

One must understand that quite a fair number of people in the Wastelands Planet desired either Platinum Hotel’s protection or its top-rate services.

Even fellow assassins and bounty hunters would attack, kill, and rob each other for the huge benefits that the Eye of Providence Gold Coin brought.

Lin Ke having an Eye of Providence Gold Coin on him now was akin to him entering a dark forest alone while carrying a torch.

Innumerable beasts lurked where the light couldn’t reach, trying to launch a lethal attack on Lin Ke!

“To save your life, I’ve even gone as far as forcibly altering the planet’s main scenario! Yet, you immediately give me an Eye of Providence Gold Coin in return? Is this something that I can hold right now?”

Lin Ke looked awfully gloomy. His instant counter had come doubled in size and extra-large.

He had really been instantly KO’ed by 17 cards[1]!

Lin Ke’s decision to reveal the main scenario and stop the artist from going to Machinery City had been a thought-out one.

Since ‘John’s Death’ was the starting point of Wastelands Planet’s main scenario, it meant that once John’s death was averted, the whole planet’s main scenario would also change along with it.

Rather than waiting for the main scenario that would only come when the game officially launched, he might as well form a good relationship with Wastelands Planet’s top assassin and quasi-lead right away.

By that time, no matter how the main scenario changed, it would definitely still be related to John—the template of a quasi-lead. Lin Ke would also be able to maximize his benefits. He might even have the chance to monopolize the planet’s main scenario and underlying plotline quests.

“That man is so shameless! He’s actually repaying kindness with enmity!”

The older ones were still wiser in the end.

Lin Ke’s scalp tingled. It looks like things are going to be rough for a while!

…

John didn’t linger in the Jack Gang’s base. The amount of information he had received that night was a little too much.

John fished out a dated-looking nine-key mobile phone and dialed a number as he walked along the road.

“You actually still know how to call? Do you know how long it’s been since you last called? I—”

“Two things, Chen.”

“Say it!”

“Firstly, I’ve given a kid named Lin Ke an Eye of Providence Gold Coin.”

“Ooh, to be able to receive an Eye of Providence Gold Coin from the king of assassins, that kid must be a very interesting one.”

“Secondly, look something up for me…”

…

Lin Ke cursed and swore for four to five minutes straight until he had exhausted all the derogatory vocabulary in his repertoire. Only then was he finally forced to end his DPS[2].

Treasure Hunter Rat cowered in the corner at the side, with its paws covering its ears. It had never seen its cultured and easy-going master this flustered and exasperated before.

The Silver Army Ants also gradually recovered and gathered together on the ground, taking in the scary aura around Lin Ke. The way they were gathered beside their master at a spot about two meters away highly resembled curious but unconcerned onlookers that didn’t know what was going on.

After ranting for a long time, Lin Ke finally let out a pent-up breath.

Since things had already come to this point, there was nothing he could do about it anymore. His only option was to try and improve his strength and capabilities at a faster rate.

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“Boss? Boss?” Forbes’s voice traveled over from outside the dim, dark alley. Sand Condor also flew in from mid-air.

“Boss, I think I fell asleep while I was waiting for you just now…” said Forbes in an aggrieved tone. He jogged over to Lin Ke, and then he asked carefully, “I didn’t miss anything, did I?”

Lin Ke took a deep breath and gave Forbes a pat on the shoulder. He then pointed at the corpses on the floor and said, “C’mon, let’s get to work!”

[1] Refers to setting up a goal or challenge, but ended up having to mercilessly eat his own words

[2] Damage Per Second